CRAIG Gordon, the Celtic keeper, believes the goals John McGinn, the Hibernian midfielder, and Callum McGregor, his Celtic counterpart, netted Parkhead on Saturday have increased their chances of starting for Scotland this week.
Gordon was helpless to prevent McGinn, who has been his team mate in the national side since winning his first cap in a friendly against Denmark last year, scoring twice in the second half of a Ladbrokes Premiership match at Parkhead on Saturday.
He reckons the former St. Mirren man has done his hopes of featuring in the Russia 2018 qualifier against Slovakia at Hampden on Thursday in the absence of Scott Brown no harm at all.
The former Hearts and Sunderland player feels the 22-year-old will rise to the occasion if he is given a run-out in the Group F encounter.
“John was good against us,” he said. “He’s not too dissimilar to Scott although he plays a wee bit further forward and carries a bit more of a goal threat than Broony. In terms of breaking up play and getting the team moving in the right direction they are alike.
“There are not too many players that play the game like that. We’re not blessed with combative midfielders so he’s given himself a good shot at coming in for Scott.”
Gordon also feels that Callum McGregor, who was called up yesterday after scoring both of Celtic’s goals at the weekend, could also be involved against Slovakia this week.
“His finishes against Hibs were both brilliant,” he said. “He was so calm. Every time he is called upon he sticks them away. He is just so reliable.”
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